Pete’s Tako House open for business

Pete’s Tako House — that’s taco with a “k” — has opened at 502 Brooklyn Ave. at Avenue B. It’s a stone’s throw away from the Museum Reach’s lock and dam. And the location is great. There is plenty of metered parking alongside the restaurant, and it’s walkable from 1221 Broadway and beyond — Pearl’s Can Plant, 1800 Broadway and The Mosaic — when those apartments ultimately are finished. It provides another dining option for the growing Museum Reach/River North community.

I wasn’t smitten over the food. The carne guisada in Pete’s Special was watery. The next morning, carne guisada with cheese, bean-cheese-bacon, and chilaquiles tacos were just OK.

Absolutely zero complaints about the service. Spot on, and you always feel all warm inside when the older proprietor calls you mijo. Inside, it’s a good-size space with a bar (not functioning yet when the restaurant opened last week). And there seems to be potential for outside seating, which would make it more of a destination.

I feel compelled not to criticize the prices, because at Pete’s they are consistent with the rest of downtown. But dishing more than $10 (including tip) for Pete’s Special — carne guisada, an enchilada, rice and beans — hurt a little.

All of that said, the owners of Pete’s Tako House must be given a lot of credit for locating what is mostly an undeveloped River North.